Vacation Paradise
Home Away from Home in Sunriver
Sunriver, Oregon has been called a year-round "recreation mecca" for good reason. Located 18 miles from Mt. Bachelor in the high desert with sunny skies all summer long, for Northwest residents, Sunriver is a nearby vacation paradise. Recreation options abound, including boating, fishing, kayaking and river-rafting, star gazing, horseback-riding, bike paths, golf, tennis, a new aquatic center, and of course, dog parks.
For a stay in Sunriver, Bennington Properties’ cozy and luxurious pet-friendly lodging offers easy access to “SHARC,” the aquatic facility, private hot tub or pool, and more. Cabins sleep four to 16, so there’s something perfect for an intimate getaway for two or a large gathering of family or friends. Viewing the options on BenningtonProperties.com is like shopping for a home (without the commitment), and you'll enjoy building your own vacation through plenty of pictures, and choice of location and atmosphere.
Our cabin was equipped with an indoor fireplace and deck with barbecue and hot tub. Maddie, our Lab, loved watching cyclists whiz by while lounging on our enclosed deck as we enjoyed a soak. Speaking of bikes, we took a two-wheeled trip to the Village Mall’s gourmet grocery and then spent the evening barbecuing and dining on the deck.
Maddie ready to go to Sunriver!
In Sunriver, you, your dog, and family or friends will discover there’s enough outdoor fun to last from a weekend to three months. Much of SHARC is open year-round, and includes indoor/outdoor pools, a lazy floating river, a rock climbing wall and tubing hill. It’s great to have the option to leave the kids to enjoy the center while the grownups take in a little shop or spa treatment at nearby retail venues.
The Bennington experience is truly about family. Happy dogs are everywhere and many cabins are equipped with bicycles (also available for rent nearby). We enjoyed a walk to the stables along the beautiful Deschutes River that runs through Sunriver. This summer we’ll be back to enjoy a white water rafting river adventure.
A very short walk from the stables, the observatory hosts weekly star and planet gazing events. One of the most memorable parts of our trip was bundling up for an evening of looking through telescopes at the planets. We actually saw the Space Station zoom across the beautiful night sky — amazing!
More exploration awaits just 30 minutes down the road in Bend. Another dog-friendly city, Bend boasts plenty of cultural events, shopping and dining. We took Maddie along for an art walk, where the festivities included a sidewalk chalk art contest, local music and vendor stalls. We picked up a great fleecy dog bed cover for Maddie before heading for a swim near the walking trails along the Deschutes in the Old Mill District.
Cozy comfort at Bennington Properties
Back “home,” we picked up one of the free movies available (and complimentary popcorn), tucked into our cabin, got a fire going, and took in a flick on our large flat screen while enjoying a complimentary bottle of local wine.
The Bennington family makes each stay personalized in so many ways, and one nice touch for the dogs is a complimentary pet bag that includes a tag (a great preventative for potential wanderers), treats, toys, and a gift certificate to the village pet shop. The on-site dog park even has a free dog bath facility.
Bennington knows what makes for a great stay with pets, and they provide it. This writer will certainly be back and I'll see you, and your pups, on the river (or at SHARC!) this summer or on the slopes come winter.
All photos by Megan Mahan